MXPA99007065A - System for climbing training - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention is a climbing trainer (10) comprising a movable climbing training wall surface (12) defined by a continuous belt rotatably disposed about a pivotable frame and controllably actuated to rotate at a selected speed, the pivotable frame and support being selected to provide a desired inclination of the climbing training wall within a range including positive inclinations and negative inclinations;the movement of said wall surface and inclination of said pivotable frame being controllable by electronic means;and wherein a wall controller (24) comprising a microprocessor controls said trainer to provide a climb simulation having a plurality of segments of different difficulty;said differing difficulty being facilitated by alteration of at least one parameter of a group of parameters consisting of vertical distance of wall surface movement, speed of wall surface movement, inclination of said wall surface, and designation of particular holds affixed to said wall surface as available and unavailable;said simulating being a compilation of instructions for said wall controller which can be transferredto the wall controller from elsewhere via a data link, and may be transferred via a global computer network.

Description

TRAINING SYSTEM FOR ESCALATION Background of the Invention 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to the training equipment for climbing. The invention relates more particularly to a climbing wall training apparatus of the type having a continuous rotating wall surface adapted to be scaled. 2. Description of Related Art In opportunities to provide training to climbers it has been recognized that man-made climbing surfaces located at convenient locations are advantageous. As a result, many climbing wall surfaces have been built around the world accessible to climbers. To provide a satisfactory training, walls for climbing are usually required. Stationary, relatively high. Those involve a very large structure, and if they are enclosed and isolated from the environment, an even larger structure is required for the purpose of this isolation as well. These last considerations REF .: 30979 limit the places where climbing walls of this type can be located. The provision of a continuous rotating wall surface allows the climbing training wall to greatly reduce its height, and the effect can provide a simulation of ascent to any desired height by sufficiently rotating the surface of the continuous wall. In addition, such a reduction in size allows training to scale on existing constructions of conventional design without extensive modifications. In addition, the greatly reduced cost characterizes such training apparatuses when compared to necessarily large stationary walls. The security increases since the climber does not have to ascend to a great height and do not necessarily require moorings or other provisions to prevent falls of danger. Usually only a simple safety mat needs to be provided to cushion short falls that can be experienced. Difficulties have been encountered in supplying such a surface for rotating, continuous scaling. Particularly, known devices generally do not provide a good degree of adjustability in the positive and / or negative inclination. Some training walls have characteristics that make the training less effective, for example undesirable or given to the climbing surface due to deflections of the components of the device under the stresses applied during use. In addition, generally the swivel wall of the previous equipment was made or required manual adjustment of the inclination angle of the climbing surface. It is generally required that the user stop climbing and make adjustments or wait for others to do so before continuing to climb at a different angle of inclination. This interrupts the training and reduces the similarity of the training with a real ramp and therefore is undesirable. Those difficulties have been recognized, the present invention is directed to providing, at a reasonably low cost, a climbing training apparatus with improved operational characteristics.

Brief Description of the Invention The present invention accordingly provides a scaler trainer comprising: a support frame; a rotating frame having first and second ends and an axis of intermediate rotation to the first and second ends, the rotating frame rotatably supported by the supporting frame that allows a relative rotational movement about the axis of rotation between the rotating frame and the support frame; a rotating actuator that allows and prevents relative rotational movement selectively between the supporting frame and the rotating frame around the axis of rotation and the rotational movement of the rotating frame with respect to the supporting frame so that the tilting of the rotating frame can be set selectively; a mobile climbing training wall surface comprising a continuous band having an outer surface adapted to incorporate scaffolding supports or handles, the continuous band is supported by and rotates around the rotating frame, the continuous band is restricted to move transversely to a plane of the surface of the training wall to climb to resist forces that tend to polish the supports or climbing grabber incorporated in the outer surface of the web away from the surface of the wall and those that tend to push the supports or handles to the surface of the wall, the surface of the scaler training wall moves in a direction parallel to a plane defined by the surface of the wall to be scaled by rotating the web around the rotating frame, the web is formed of a plurality of interlaced panels articulated together so that transmit contact force along the joints between the panels to transfer other forces in addition to moment forces around the axes parallel to an axis of rotation of a link 5 articulated between the panels; a first axis; a second axis, the first and second axes rotatably supported by the rotating frame on the first and second end respectively of the frame 11O rotating and rotatably about two parallel axes, the continuous strip, comprising the training surface for scaling it is placed around the axes and that they bend around the two parallel axes, and where the continuous band is controlled to resist the folding around an orthogonal axis additional to the two parallel axes around which the first and second axes rotate, and an actuator of the surface of the wall adapted to rotate the continuous band around the frame is rotatable, whereby the surface of the climbing training wall is moved to provide a similar ramp, the inclination of the surface of the climbing training wall can be adjusted by rotating the rotating frame over a range of inclination inclinations negative Some more detailed aspect of the continuous band comprises the scalar training surface positioned around the axes and which is bent around the stiffening parallel axes to resist bending or bending of an additional axis orthogonal to the two parallel axes around the axes. which rotate the first and second axes. In a further detailed aspect the web further comprises a multiplicity of panels rotatably intertwined, each of which can rotate with respect to the other about an axis parallel to the two parallel axes about which the first and second axes rotate, and configured to mitigate the unintentional engagement of the surface of the training wall with things that in other circumstances would be captured and moved with the surface of the wall by minimizing the opening and closing the gaps between the interlocking panels in a rotatable manner. The climbing trainer further comprises at least one fixed interchangeable support or handle to one of the interlaced panels in a rotatable manner. In another detailed aspect the actuator may comprise a variable speed motor coupled to at least one of the first and second axes, the scalar trainer further comprises a speed control operable from the surface to continuously scale the speed control is adapted to vary the speed of the engine. In addition, the scaler can influence an emergency safety interrupt switch operable from the training surface for continuous scaling and adapted to stop the movement of the band around the rotating frame and can also stop the relative rotational movement between the frame rotary and the frame of the base. In a further detailed aspect further the rotatably interlaced panels may be extrusions having first and second sides comprising a portion of internal joints having an outer cylindrical configuration on the first side and an outer articulation portion of the second side having an internal cylindrical configuration configured to couple to the internal joint pressure of an adjacent panel and cooperate to provide a joint between adjacent panels. The rotatably interlaced panels can be formed of a metal or metal alloy comprising aluminum. In another more detailed aspect the web defines an internal surface of the first and second ends, the band is slidably connected to the rotating frame by at least one connection between the rotating frame and the intermediate internal surface to the first and second ends of the band. , and where the connection allows relative movement of the frame and the continuous band in a direction parallel to the plane defined by the surface of the training wall to scale and restricts movement in a direction orthogonal to the plane, whereby the continuous band is restricted to orthogonal movement of the plane defined by the surface of the wall to scale at least one slidable connection to the intermediate pivoting frame to the first and second end of the band. In a first detailed aspect, additional the scalar trainer further comprises a wall controller which controls the rotary actuator and the actuator of the wall surface, the wall controller has a memory, whereby the data comprising a climb simulation can be stored in the controller and the controller initiates synchronized movements of the turn actuator and the actuator of the wall surface to provide a simulation of ascent. The scaler can further comprise a data link by which data comprising a climb simulation can be transferred to the wall controller. In addition, the data that comprise the promotion simulation can be transferred via a computer network from a remote site.

In another detailed aspect the scaler can further comprise a personal computer connected to the wall controller via a data link, the data is transferred from the personal computer to the wall controller via a data link. The ascent simulation can be stored in a memory device accessible by the personal computer. The personal computer can be connected to a computer network and the data comprising the promotion simulation can be transferred to the personal computer via the network from a storage site located anywhere on the network. In greater detail, the data comprising greater simulation, of ascent can be used by the wall controller to simulate a ramp having the plurality of segments that can be of different difficulty because of the variation of at least one parameter of a group of parameters consisting of the speed of movement of the surface of the wall and the inclination of the rotating frame. In this respect the range of inclinations comprises those negative inclinations between a maximum negative inclination where the surface of the training wall for climbing is placed horizontally oriented downwards and a positive inclination where the surface of the training wall for climbing is placed upwards at an oblique angle with respect to the vertical. The segments in combination can simulate an ascent route based on the actual ascent route that has been drawn and the difficulties of several determined segments. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be appreciated by studying the drawings and the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments that are provided by way of explanation and not by way of limitation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a climbing wall apparatus of the invention, showing several possible inclinations of a wall surface for scaling in sketched fashion; FIGURE 2 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the apparatus of FIGURE 1; FIGURE 3 is a top view, partly in section of the scaling apparatus of Figure 1; FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view, partially in section, of the scalar trainer of FIGURE 1; FIGURE 5 is a more detailed front elevational view, partially in section, of a portion of the climbing trainer shown in FIGURE 2; FIGURE 6 is a more detailed elevation view, partially in section, of a portion of the climbing trainer shown in FIGURE 2; FIGURE 7 is a more detailed front elevational view, partially in section, of a portion of the climbing trainer shown in FIGURE 2; FIGURE 8 is a more detailed plan view, partially in section, of a portion of the climbing trainer shown in FIGURE 3 showing particularly the crawler gear drive motor and the drive assembly and gear drive rotation of fixed center of the internal frame; and FIGURE 9 is a more detailed side elevational view, partially in section, of a portion of the climbing trainer shown in FIGURE 4; FIGURE 9a is a more detailed sectional view of a portion of the extruded panels rotatably connected to the wall for scaling forming a surface of the rotating wall illustrating the details of the hinged connection of the panels when the panels are placed in a vertical orientation of the surface of the wall to rotate scaling. FIGURE 9b is a more detailed sectional view of a portion of the extruded panels rotatably connected to the wall for scaling forming the surface of the rotating wall illustrating the details of the hinged connection between the panels when the panels are placed on an axis at one end of the internal rotating frame. FIGURE 10 is a more detailed side elevation view, partially in section, of a portion of the alternate modality of the scaler * shown in FIGURE 4. FIGURE a is a more detailed front elevational view, partially in section, of a portion of the alternative mode of the scaler. shown in FIGURE 2. FIGURE 11b is an exploded view of the detail shown in FIG. FIGURE 12 is a front elevational view of a scaler trainer control board shown in FIGURE 1. FIGURE 13 is a block diagram of a training system for scaling the invention illustrating the interaction of various elements. FIGURE 14 is a time / logic diagram illustrating the operation of a system mode shown in FIGURE 13.

FIGURE 15 is a time / logic diagram illustrating the operation of another embodiment of a system shown in FIGURE 13.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, which are given by way of example and not by way of limitation, a climbing wall apparatus 10 of the invention includes a continuous scalar surface 12 comprising extruded aluminum panels rotatably interconnected 14 having receptacles 16 to releasably receive climbing support or handle accessories 18 of various configurations. The nature and placement of support or grab accessories may vary between ascents or ramps to provide more variation of the surface to climb in the training. The climbing surface is supported by an internal frame (not shown) supported rotatably by an external frame 20. A padded carpet 22 is provided to cushion the impact of a body. climber as a result of a fall. A control board 24 is provided adjacent to the surface of the wall for convenient access, including access by a climber on the surface of the wall 12. Additionally two emergency stop pads 26, 28 are provided which when moved they stop the rotation of the surface of the wall. The power is provided via a power cable 30 of conventional configuration. The control board 24 allows a user to climb over the trainer to reach and adjust the inclination of the wall surface and the speed of the wall surface. The control board also includes an indication of the scaled "height" which is a readjustable measure of the distance moved on the surface of the wall. The control board is electrically connected to a conventional controller (not shown) which controls the speed and direction of the drive motors which drive the climbing wall apparatus of the climbing trainer. The controller employs an 8051 microprocessor and may also include a RAM or ROM. With reference to FIGURES 2, 3 and 4, the outer frame includes a tubular steel member 32, 34, 36 comprising a base, 38 and 40 comprising elevators, and an adjustable tension member 42, 44, 46, 48 The elevators support the stationary horizontal steel tubular members 50, 52, which in turn rotatably support the inner frame 54. The internal frame comprises a central rotating tubular member 56 formed of steel, the side members 58, 60 and the transverse members 62 and 64. Struts 66 are provided at the points where the frame members meet to provide greater rigidity. The horizontal axes 68, 70 are rotatably supported by the side members adjacent to the outer ends thereof. The shaft 68 is driven by a drive motor 67 and a gear assembly 69, while the shaft 70 rotates freely. The octagonal axes 72, 74, 76, 78 positioned on the shaft are rotatably coupled to bonded aluminum extruded panels 14 which comprise a rotating climbing surface 12. The linked honeycombs form a structure similar to a continuous band which rotates around of the axes. The distance between the shafts 70 and 68 is adjustable by means which adjust the location of the bearings 80 supporting the shaft 70. The entire inner frame 54 and the surface of the continuous rotating wall 12 formed of the linked panels 14 rotate about a horizontal center shaft 82 by means of a crawler gear drive motor 83 and a track gear assembly 84 mounted on the side member 58 of the inner frame. A fixed circular gear 86 supported in a fixed manner by the horizontal tubular sleeve 50 cooperates with the caterpillar gear drive assembly to provide adjustability in the rotational position of the internal frame with respect to the horizontal central axis 82 and the outer frame 20. A central tension member 88 coaxial with it. central shaft 82 extends through the interior of horizontal tubular member 56 to increase the rigidity of the external frame and cooperates with the internal frame to provide this effect. The panels 14 are guided and supported by the inner frame 54 by means of guide members 90 attached to the panels 14 which slidably engage and move along the side members of the internal frame 5860, cooperating with the outwardly extending flange 92 incorporated in the side members of the internal frame. Low friction materials such as polymeric lubricant resin, Teflon, or the like can be attached to the inner frame at points where the guide members are slidably engaged and in contact. This configuration prevents the panels forming the continuous wall from separating from the internal frame. This is very important when a negative inclination is selected for the surfaces of the wall 12. The weight of a climbing user is supported in extreme (horizontal) negative tilt entirely by the guide members 90 slidably supported by the members of the frame 58, 60 in that position of the internal frame. A control board 24 is supported by the external frame as mentioned above, as are the emergency stop pads 26, 28 and the switches 94 driven by them which cut off all power to all drive motors 69, 83 The additional electronic control devices 96 are mounted on the member, of internal frame 58. The rotation of the internal frame with respect to the internal frame is limited, flexible cables (not shown) can be used in the electrical connections between the control frame 24, the power cable 30, the emergency stop pad 94 switches and the additional electronic control devices and the drive motors mounted on the internal frame. Additional details can be seen with reference to FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8. Particularly with reference to FIGURE 8, blocks of lubricant material 98 are attached to the flange 92 of the side member of the internal frame 58. Turning now to FIG. 9, the details of the extruded aluminum panels 14 can be appreciated. Each panel comprises an inner hinge portion 100 and an external hinge portion 102. In addition, the panel configurations are identical and cooperate with the octagonal axis to provide a rotation uniform. The adjusting screws 104 allow adjustment of the tension of the rotating wall similar to a continuous band 106 formed by the panels linked in a rotatable manner 14. With reference to FIGS. 9a and 9b, the additional details of the hinged connection between the panels in one embodiment include the provision of the C-shaped cross-section sleeve 101 between the inner hinge portion 100 and the external hinge portion 102. As can be seen this gives a more uniform and quieter operation of the apparatus and reduces the need for lubrication between the panels in the articulated connection between them. Also, the advantages in reducing the creation or capture of the user's garments of the panel configuration are shown more clearly. As can be seen, when the joint rotates between the limits of the rotational movement shown in FIGURES 91 and 9b the configuration of the extruded panels 14 in the articulated connection between them does not allow an object or skin of the user or other things to be trapped due to the depth of an indentation 103 which extends and narrows and the beveled configuration of the panels 14 where they form the indentation 103 adjacent to the portion of the internal and external joint 100, 102 when the panels are assembled to form the rotating wall similar to a band 106. Referring again to FIGURE 9 the rotating wall similar to a band is supported on the members of the inner frame 58 and 60 and retained therein by the interaction of the guide members 90 and the flange 92 discussed above. Openings 108 are provided in the members of the internal frame to save weight on the members (as shown 58). With reference to FIGURE 10, in another embodiment, a crawler gear drive motor 83 and track gear assembly 84 is mounted 180 degrees with respect to the axis of rotation of the wall surface shown in the previous figures. . As well, a drive motor 67 and a gear assembly 69 for driving the surface of the rotating wall formed by the interlaced panel assembly similar to a continuous band moves from the upper shaft 68 to the lower shaft 70 in this embodiment. This lowers the center of gravity. The configuration of the drive assemblies 67, 69, 83, 84 in this embodiment is advantageous since the internal frame 54 of the wall mount tends to rotate to a vertical position, and consequently, if the drive gear assembly of caterpillar is uncoupled, so that the internal frame of the wall mount can rotate freely, will move to a vertical position and will remain so. This is useful for manufacturing, but also when a user is climbing over the surface of the wall there is less stress on the track drive assemblies of this juxtaposition of the drive assemblies.

In one embodiment a sensor plate 112 is fixed to the stationary horizontal steel tubular member 50 together with the stationary circular gear 86. The sensors 114 cooperate with the sensor plate to provide a signal to the wall controller 96 related to the angular position of the sensor. internal frame 54 of the outer frame 20, and consequently its inclination with respect to the vertical (or horizontal) Referring to FIGURE 2, in an additional embodiment the apparatus for scaling is provided with light sources 108 and photosensors 110 in the This provides a signal when a light beam from the source to the sensor in each case is interrupted.This signal can be used to control the wall to mitigate the user's hazards. microprocessor of the wall controller 96 is programmed to respond to a signal that the beam between the light source 108 and the sensor 110 on the lower part ior of the wall mount has been interrupted by stopping the rotation of the wall surface. This can be done by a person or object placed between the lower part of the rotating wall 106 and the carpet 22. The microprocessor can further be programmed to respond to such a signal only when the lower part of the wall is within a selected distance of the carpet (corresponding to a certain interval of rotational angles of the wall of the vertical). In another embodiment if the light beam between the light source and the sensor located at the top of the wall is interrupted the wall controller temporarily stops the rotation of the wall surface and can give an audible warning. This is to discourage users from climbing on top of the appliance wall when it is in motion. In this way, the risks of accident or damage to the user are reduced. With reference to FIGS. 11 and 11b, in another embodiment the central tension member 88 is eliminated in favor of the configuration shown. The central rotating tubular member 56 is retained in the stationary horizontal tubular member 52 by means of a plate 116 welded inside the central rotating tube 56 (having an opening 118 for the passage of wiring and power cable, etc.) and a lid at the end 120 which also has an opening 118 corresponding to that of the plate 116 which are joined together by means of screws 122. This arrangement joins the structure assembled together so that the axial forces can be transmitted through the interconnection rotary of the elements 52 and 56. The sleeves 124 of lubricant material separate the central rotating member 56 and the horizontal tubular member 52 and provide a uniform relative rotation.

Referring to FIGURE 12, a detail of the front face 24 of the control panel is illustrated. A liquid crystal display device 124 allows the display of information with alphanumeric characters in operation of the system as described below with reference to FIGS. 13-15. The height and time of an ascent or rise segment are presented in a height and time visualization device of LED 126. The LEDs indicate height 125 or time 127. The speed of the wall surface for rotational scaling 106 vertical feet per minute is presented in the LED speed visualization device 128. The speed can be adjusted manually by an elevator button operation 130 or the descent button 132 associated with the speed. The inclination of the wall surface is indicated in a LED inclination visualization device 134. The adjustment of the speed is possible manually using the associated up or down buttons. The start button 136 begins the operation of the wall after the initiation of the system. The reset button 138 resets the system. If you have access to programmed promotions by pressing the radio buttons 141, 142, 143, 144 or 145 or those in combination with a scroll button 140. Each button is associated with two preprogrammed climb simulations and initiate one or the other depending on whether the scroll button 140 was pressed in advance. The "save", "obtain" and "fix" buttons 146, 148, 150 are respectively used to store and retrieve user defined ascent simulations. With reference to FIGS. 13 and 14 as well as 12, the electronic control of the speed of movement and inclination of the surface of the wall 106 allows to perform pre-programmed ascent simulations. For example, accesses stored by a user 152 can be accessed via the control board 24 by pressing the selection button 141, 142, 143 or 144 or one of those preceded by the scroll button 140. The wall is provided in a mode with a non-volatile memory where one or more instruction sequences are stored to control the movement of the wall. Pressing one of the promotion buttons preprogrammed a sequence of movement of the wall stored in such non-volatile memory is initiated. This is implemented in a conventional manner using programmable microprocessors as discussed above. In this way, an ascent of several degrees of different difficulties can be simulated. By varying the angle of inclination, and by varying the speed of movement of the surface of the wall 106, the difficulty of the ascent can be varied. Also, in one embodiment this can be further varied by using color-coded supports or grabs of different configurations and placed on the surface of the wall to provide a variation of the difficulty of negotiation from one color to another, for example. By controlling the wall to provide a first simulated rise segment of a first degree of difficulty of a selected duration of time and a second segment of a second duration of time having a second degree of difficulty, and so on, is provided a simulated ascent of a selected duration time that has variable difficulty during this duration time. In one embodiment, for example, up to 15 rising segments, the duration of time, inclination, movement speed of the wall, all variables from one segment to the next, can be provided. In addition, the visual display device 124 or an audible artificial voice can specify which colored supports or handles should be used, adding one more parameter that may vary from segment to segment. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art this provides variation in training and can be achieved without stopping the climb simulation to manually adjust the team. Due to the wide range of tilt angles (horizontal up to 15 degrees beyond the vertical in the preferred mode so far) large variations in the degrees of difficulty due to the vertical angle are possible. In another embodiment the wall control 96 is also provided with a data link capability 154, such as a standard serial port for example to communicate with another device, such as a personal computer 156 (here subsequently PC) for example. The preprogrammed ascents in the form of a series of instructions to be used by the microprocessor of the wall controller can be transferred to the wall controller from the PC. In a further mode the wall controller is provided with an additional wall memory 158 which can accept and store data and which can be overwritten, and preprogrammed upgrades from the PC to the wall memory can be transferred via link to the wall. database 154. In one modality this would constitute additional capacity beyond the preprogrammed ascents stored in the non-volatile memory used by the wall controller. The preprogrammed transferred upload can then be initiated from the control board 24, for example by pressing a combination or sequence of buttons such as "scroll" 140 and "get" 148 and then "start" 136. In a mode a PC 156 is connected to the wall controller 96 via a serial port and the appropriate cables and connectors (collectively 154). The programs and programming systems stored in the PC cooperate with those of the microprocessor of the wall controller 96 to allow data transfer comprising a preprogrammed ascent simulation. In one embodiment the controller is programmed so that pressing the "move" buttons 140 and "set" 150 simultaneously initiates a microprocessor of the wall controller to receive and store climb data. The display device 124 shows how to "download" a result. The user then starts downloading the PC according to the instructions on the screen on the PC. When the complete transfer both the visual representation device of the control panel and the PC screen present "complete discharge" and the control panel of the wall presents later "any key to continue". Pressing any key on the wall control panel the wall controller returns to normal operation. The programs and programming systems of the PC to complete this sequence of operations are conventional, as it is the programming of the microprocessor of the wall controller. The data link 154 can then be interrupted, for example by disconnecting the cable between the serial ports. In a mode, the newly downloaded ascent is selected by pressing the "scroll" and "get" keys 148 simultaneously. The simulation is started by pressing a "start" button. The visualization device on the control panel can provide information about which stage (degree) of the simulated ascent the user is during the simulation. As mentioned, it can also present other information such as the color of the supports or handles when used to further vary the simulation of the ascent. In one embodiment, the user can design a custom ascent simulation and then download it to the memory of the microprocessor 158 of the wall controller 96. By means of the appropriate programs and programming systems in the PC 156, it can be suggested to a user to introduce the parameters for a simulated ascent. Parameters for up to 15 segments (degrees) of ascent can be specified in one modality. For example, in one mode for each segment the user is asked to enter a speed value of 2 up to 50 vertical feet per minute (fpm) (0.61-15.25) (m / min), a tilt value of -90 (horizontal) to +15 (15 degrees beyond the vertical), and a vertical distance of 1 to 255 feet (0.0305-77.778 m). When the user has defined at most about 15 desired segments the designed ascent can then be stored in the memory of the wall controller 158 by transferring the data from the PC to the wall memory as described above. As can be seen, the programs and programming systems of the PC 156 and the microprocessor of the wall controller 96 can also be programmed to allow the transfer of data to the PC to the wall controller to change the inclination and speed of the wall in the wall. Real time effectively controlling the movement of the wall from the PC. This allows the relatively larger storage capacity of a PC's memory to be used to store even more ascent simulations, which can be easily accessed and used. As will be appreciated the required programming is not extraordinary and commercially available conventional microprocessors and memories carry a wide variety of sources around the world can be used in the wall controller to implement the invention as described above. In one embodiment, a commercial 8051 microprocessor is widely available from a variety of vendors. In a further embodiment the preprogrammed ascent simulation can be distributed to the PC 156 via data storage means such as a disk 160. As can be seen such an ascent program can be designed and programmed in one site by promoter designer 161 in a Designer PC 162 and then be sent to another for use. In one embodiment, a sequence of ascent simulation instructions stored on a disk and designed to be used with a PC 156 connectable to the wall controller as described above also includes additional information about an actual or imaginary ascent route simulating the ascent . For example, a route map may be included that shows an ascent route to a real or imaginary mountain or a particular feature such as top or face for example. The degrees of difficulty of each one are shown. The climb simulation is designed to provide segments of length and difficulty similar to the actual or imaginary route shown. Additional information is presented on the screen of PC 156 for user verification. The user's perception of the climb simulation as a real user training for climbing therefore improves and the training experience of the user of the apparatus therefore improves. further, in another embodiment, the simulation of the preprogrammed ascent is distributed to the device via a network of computers 164. As can be seen, this is similar to the distribution just described but for the replacement of a line or wireless connection (collectively 154) of the PC to a network (including for example a global computer network generally known as the Internet). Since the PC 156 is provided with a modem for a data link 154 with the Internet and a PC of the designer of the PC 162 is also equipped and connected, the simulation of the ascent can be stored in a conventional manner on a storage device in the network of computers and to be accessed in an equally conventional manner by the user through the PC of the user 156, for example. In addition, the programs and programming systems in the PC 156 that allow the transfer of data can likewise be distributed via the Internet 164. This is advantageous given that the user can download the programs and programming systems that allow new simulations to be carried out. promotion after the purchase and installation of the apparatus 10, and programs and improved programming systems can be provided to users in a conventional manner periodically by making such programs and programming systems available in a computer network, for example on a network site in the Internet. However, these advantages can be obtained by the user 152 who already has a PC 156 at minimal additional cost. Acquiring a data link capacity 154 between the wall controller and a PC the advantages of convenient distribution in new climb simulations and improved PC programming and systems related to new computer network upgrade simulations such as the Internet are available to users. Accordingly, the system of the present invention is in effect updatable without additional costs of new programs and control programming systems. In addition, the storage and reception capabilities of preprogrammed ascent simulations, either defined by the user, preprogrammed in the non-volatile memory, or provided from another site 162 via a memory device such as a disk 160 or via a data link 154 on wired or wireless connection to another computer or computer network 164 for example, provides a better training experience on what is generally possible with conventional training apparatuses. The ability to execute pre-programmed promotions distributed via the Internet, for example a "mountain ascent" thus distributed, allows a greater variety in training and constitutes a great increase in the capacity to improve the training experience obtained through the use of methods, systems and apparatus exposed and described aguí. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various modifications of the preferred embodiments heretofore of the invention described herein can be made and that the scope of the intended protection is defined solely by the limitations of the appended claims.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects to which it relates.

Claims (21)

CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property:

1. A climbing trainer, characterized in that it comprises: a support frame; a rotating frame having first and second ends and an axis of intermediate rotation to the first and second ends, the rotating frame supported rotatably by the support frame that allows relative rotational movement around the axis of rotation between the rotating frame and the support frame; a rotary actuator that selectively allows and prevents relative rotational movement between the supporting frame and the rotating frame around the axis of rotation and the rotational movement of the rotary frame with respect to the supporting frame, whereby the tilting of the rotating frame can fix in a selective way; a mobile climbing training wall surface comprising a continuous band having an external surface adapted to incorporate scaffolding supports or handles, the continuous band is transported by and rotates around the rotating frame, the continuous band is restrained against the transverse movement to a plane of the surface of the training wall to climb to resist the forces tending to pull the scala supports or grapples incorporated in the outer surface of the web away from the surface of the wall and those tending to pushing the supports or handles towards the surface of the wall, the surface of the climbing training wall moves in a direction parallel to a plane defined by the surface of the wall to be scaled by rotating the continuous band around the rotating frame , the continuous band is formed of a plurality of interlaced panels articulated j unites to be in force transmitting contact along the joints between the panels to transfer other forces different from the moment forces around the axes parallel to an axis of rotation of an articulated connection between the panels; a first axis; a second axis, the first and second axes rotatably supported by the rotating frame at the first and second ends respectively of the rotating frame and revolving around two parallel axes, the continuous band comprises the training surface for climbing which is placed around the axes and bends around the two parallel axes, and where the continuous band is stiffened to resist bending around an orthogonal axis in addition to the two parallel axes around which the first and second axes rotate, and the surface actuator of the wall adapted to rotate the continuous band around the rotating frame, whereby the surface of the scaler training wall moves to provide a simulated ascent, the inclination of the surface of the training wall for scaling can be adjusted to rotating the rotating frame over a range of inclinations including negative inclinations.

2. The climbing trainer according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a joint that has a plane between two adjacently interlocked panels, each of which can rotate with respect to another around an axis parallel to each other. the two parallel axes around which the first and second axes rotate, the panels are configured in the joint to mitigate the unintentional coupling of the surface of the training wall with things that in other circumstances would be trapped and move with the surface of the wall by minimizing the opening and closing of the gaps between the interlaced panels in a rotatable manner.

3. The climbing trainer according to claim 2, characterized in that the continuous band also comprises interchangeable supports or holders fixed releasably to one of the panels interlaced in a rotatable manner.

4. The climbing trainer according to claim 3, characterized in that the actuator of the wall surface comprises a variable speed motor coupled to at least one of the first and second axes, the scaling trainer further comprises a speed control operable from the surface for continuous scaling, the speed control it is adapted to vary the speed of the motor.

5. The climbing trainer according to claim 4, characterized in that it further comprises a safety interruption switch operable from the training surface for scaling, continuous, and adapted to stop the movement of the band around the rotating frame.

6. The climbing trainer according to claim 5, characterized in that the safety interruption switch comprises a light source and a photo-sensor, which switch is operated due to the interruption of a light beam from the light source to the light source. photosensor

7. The climbing trainer according to claim 2, characterized in that the rotatably interlaced panels are extrusions having first and second sides comprising an internal articulation portion having an external cylindrical configuration on the first side and an external articulation portion. on the second side having an internal cylindrical configuration configured to couple the internal joint portion of an adjacent panel and cooperate to provide an articulation of adjacent panels.

The climbing trainer according to claim 7, characterized in that the web defines an internal surface and first and second ends, the web is slidably connected to the rotating frame by at least one connection between the rotating frame and the surface internal intermediate to the first and second ends of the band, and wherein the connection allows relative movement of the frame and the continuous band in a direction parallel to a plane defined by the surface of the training wall to scale and restricts movement in one direction orthogonal to the plane, whereby the web is restricted to the orthogonal movement towards the plane defined by the surface of the wall to be scaled by at least one slidable connection to the rotating frame intermediate the first and second edges of the web.

9. The climbing trainer according to claim 9, characterized in that it also comprises a wall controller which controls the rotary actuator and the actuator of the surface of the wall, the wall controller has a memory, so the data which comprise a climb simulation are stored in the controller and the controller initiates synchronized movements of the turn actuator and the actuator to the surface of the wall to provide a climb simulation.

10. The climbing trainer according to claim 9, characterized in that it further comprises a data link so that the data comprising a climb simulation can be transferred to the wall controller.

11. The climbing trainer according to claim 10, characterized in that the data comprising the climb simulation are transferred via a computer network from a remote site.

12. The climbing trainer according to claim 9, characterized in that it further comprises a personal computer connected to the wall controller via the data link, the data is transferred from the personal computer to the wall controller via the data link .

13. The climbing trainer according to claim 12, characterized in that the climb simulation is stored in a memory device accessible by the personal computer.

14. The climbing trainer according to claim 12, characterized in that the personal computer is connected to a computer network and that the simulation of promotions is transferred to the personal computer via the network from a storage site located anywhere. on the network.

15. The climbing trainer according to claim 11, characterized in that the data comprising a climb simulation are used by the wall controller to simulate an ascent having a plurality of segments of different difficulties due to the variation of at least one parameter of a group of parameters consisting of the speed of movement of the surface of the wall and inclination of the rotating frame.

16. The climbing trainer according to claim 15, characterized in that the range of inclinations comprises those negative inclinations between a maximum negative inclination, where the surface of the training wall for climbing is placed horizontally oriented downwards and a positive inclination where the surface of the climbing training wall is placed downward at an oblique angle with respect to the vertical.

17. The climbing trainer according to claim 15, characterized in that the segments in combination simulate an ascent route based on an actual ascent route which has been traced and difficulties of several determined segments.

18. A computerized controller to control the speed of movement and the degree of angle of a motorized exercise unit, the controller is characterized because it comprises: a memory programmed with data that define the parameters of a simulated first exercise; a data link to transfer data that define the parameters of a simulated second exercise from a remote location to the memory; a manually operable control board for selecting a desired simulated exercise and for adjusting the movement speed of the exercise unit; and a device for visual representation of the parameters of the selected simulated exercise.

The controller according to claim 18, characterized in that the data link comprises a personal computer and means for connecting the personal computer to a network.

20. The controller according to claim 19, characterized in that the network is a global computer network. The controller according to claim 21, characterized in that the visual representation device includes presentations of the duration and progress of the selected exercise. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is a scalar trainer (10) comprising a mobile climbing training wall surface (2) defined by a continuous rotating band placed around a rotating frame and controllably operated to rotate at a selected speed, the frame and rotating support are selected to provide a desired inclination of the training wall to scale within a range including positive inclinations and negative inclinations; the movement of the surface of the wall and the inclination of the rotating frame are controllable by electronic means; and wherein a wall controller (24) comprises a microprocessor controlled by the trainer to provide a ramp simulation having a plurality of segments of varying difficulty; the variable difficulty is facilitated by the alteration of at least one parameter of a group of parameters consisting of the vertical distance of the movement of the surface of the wall, speed of movement of the surface of the wall, inclination of the surface of the wall and designation of particular supports or handles fixed to the surface of the wall available and not available; The simulation is a compilation of instructions for the control of the wall which can be transferred to the wall controller from any place via the data link, and can be transferred via a global computer network.